Pennsylvania gets Real ID extension

Pennsylvania residents can continue using their driverís licenses to enter federal facilities through Jan. 22, even though the state is not compliant with federal security standards that will affect domestic air travel next year.

PennDOT announced Wednesday that the Real ID enforcement grace period has been extended.

Real ID is the federal law passed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to make state-issued driverís licenses and ID cards more secure.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reviewing extension requests from noncompliant states, including Pennsylvania, said Anna Franko, an agency spokeswoman.

Extensions are granted at the discretion of Acting DHS Secretary Elaine C. Duke.

Beginning Jan. 22, the Transportation Security Administration will accept only driverís licenses for air travel from Real ID-compliant states or those with a renewed extension.

Because PennDOT doesnít anticipate issuing Real ID-compliant licenses until March 2019, without an extension or alternative identification such as a passport or military ID, Pennsylvanians could be grounded in January.